More t-track fun

When we purchased Hokulani she was pretty much a stock one design J120.  Just the factory rigging setup.  Fine if you're doing buoy racing but missing some things if you're ocean racing.  On the way to Hawaii it's likely we'll spend a good chunk of time reaching - anywhere from a close reach to a beam reach - especially early in the race.  In those situations it would be good to be able to sheet head sails to an outside lead.  We thought about adding a folding padeye for this purpose, but you've got to get it placed just right and it may only be optimal for one sail.  So we opted for placing t-track near the toe rail.  Of course, when you place t-track there you want to match the radius of the boat.  Never having done this before I was skeptical as to how easily you could bend 1.25" t-track (when you hold a piece it sure doesn't seem like you can).  Everyone I spoke with said "oh sure, it's no problem".  However, before I started drilling holes in the boat I had to convince myself this was true. 

So, we took some paper to the boat and scribed the radius where we planned to install the track and took measurements regarding track placement (keeping in mind you need to be able to access this from below).

Then we transferred the scribed radius to a piece of plywood at home and attempted to fit the t-track.  You start at one end and once you have 2-3 fastners in place turns out it's pretty easy to bend the track - way further that I thought possible.  You just need to have enough unsecured track to get some leverage.

We continued the process of bending track on the plywood for both the forward and aft sections of track we planned to install.  Then using a 3/32" piece of acrylic made a hole template to transfer the hole pattern to the boat.  You can just flip the template over to do the other side of the boat.

Forward section of the starboard site installed.

We also got the forward port side installed.  We'll be going back to do the aft tracks.  These will be a little more tricky as we have to work around structures below deck (the galley on the port side and a hanging locker and quarter berth head liner on the starboard side).

Now we'll have the ability to have an outside jib lead, a place to rig tweeners (for the Code zero or head sail) and a preventor (for the main) should we need them.  Nice.